Oh, Disneyland! If you and your family are planning a vacation to the most magical place in the world, one thing is for sure… you will want to be prepared!
There is SO much to do! SO much to see! And SO much to eat! 😉 That we have compiled this huge list of the BEST Tips and Tricks to make your vacation be the BEST EVER!
For starters – don’t miss out on our DISCOUNTED Disneyland Tickets through Get Away Today by clicking HERE! Use code: BESTDAY at checkout when purchasing a package for an ADDITIONAL $10 OFF too!
We asked our community of Besties for all of YOUR advice on what we should do and then my little family and I packed our bags and tested all the tips and tricks out ourselves! After experiencing it first hand, I am excited to share with you everything you need to know and MORE for your next getaway to Disneyland Resort and California Adventure!
FIRST THINGS FIRST:
1. BE PREPARED: Reading up on tips and tricks like this article is a great place to start! Make sure you go into your trip knowing the things you for sure want to see, want to ride and want to eat – so you can leave feeling like it was a success for you and your family and have no regrets! Also going in with a plan will help you accomplish more, which in return helps you get more bang for your buck!
2. THINGS TO PACK: Comfortable Shoes. A sweatshirt or jacket. Ponchos. Sunscreen. A stroller. A baby carrier. A blanket for the babes when they fall asleep. A backpack. A stroller.
3. DOWNLOAD THE DISNEYLAND APP: It lets you see ride wait times, character locations and times, and restaurant menus. You can scan your tickets into the app and if you pay an extra $10 per person/per day you get the “MAXPASS” which lets you get Fastpasses from your phone so you don’t have to run all over the park. Definitely worth it!
4. MAXPASS ALL THE WAY: When you add the Disney MaxPass feature to your ticket, you’ll be able to download, save and share all of your Disney PhotoPass photos captured during the entire day! We LOVED that we were able to get all the photos from the rides, right to our phones without purchasing them separately! Plus, you are able to get your FASTPASSES selections right from your phone using the Disneyland app while you’re in the parks so you don’t have to run around getting Fastpasses – it is just a click of a button while standing in line at another ride! It is $10 extra per person, per day…AND WORTH IT!
THE LOW DOWN ON RIDES & SHOWS:
1. Make sure you schedule in at least one parade – they are a MUST! Find a spot early so you don’t have to sit facing the sun!
2. In California Adventure, FASTPASS the Radiator Springs Racers {the Cars ride} AND the World of Color Show {the show is at night, but you will want to get your “Fastpass/Ticket” for it as soon as you get in the park to get a good spot!} first thing in the morning. If you wait too long to get Fastpasses – they will run out AND it saves you HOURS!
3. In Disneyland Park, FASTPASS the Haunted House if it is around the holidays as it sells out FAST when decorated with Nightmare Before Christmas October-December!
4. We LOVE the Frozen Show and The Disney Junior Show at California Adventure! Both are good little breaks from standing in line and walking – and awesome entertainment!
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE BEST PART… THE FOOD:
1. The corn dog cart at the end of Main Street on the right. I have dreams about those corn dogs 😂
2. Churros (obviously) – they have carts all around the park and it’s totally fine to get one every hour while there!
3. Get a Tigger Tail at Pooh’s Corner
4. A Minnie Wand at the candy shop on Main Street (same treat as Tigger Tail, but different decoration)
5. Gumbo in a bread bowl at New Orleans square
6. Turkey Legs are a family favorite
7. Dole Whips are a must – love getting them by the Tiki Room and then going to ride the Jungle Cruise while we eat it.
8. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is a dream
9. Bengal BBQ is a great lunch/dinner spot! Their pork belly skewers are to die for!
10. “The Gray Stuff” at the Red rose tavern
11. Disney Rice Crispy Treats and Carmel Apples
HIGHLY SUGGESTED BONUSES:
1. Plaza Inn Breakfast with Characters, The Storytellers Cafe located in The Grand California Hotel or Ariels Grotto – definitely do a character breakfast before heading into the park, it gives the kids a great opportunity to see some characters up close without having to wait in those huge lines! Reservations are necessary.
2. We do the Rider Switch/Stroller Pass so everyone has a chance to ride! When entering in the line of the ride, let the worker know you need a stroller pass. It let’s you ride the ride with your party, and then the person who sat out with the babies gets to ride it with 2 other people when you get back, without having to wait in the line!
3. Our favorite Disneyland memories was the private viewing of Fantasmic. You have to call to make reservations. There is a roped off area with special seating and they serve fancy hot cocoa and deserts. It was expensive, but totally worth it! Especially with little ones.
4. Stock up on cheap (Amazon & Goodwill) Mickey ears, autograph books, princess stuff, etc. and keep them hidden from the kiddos until they start eyeing the high priced gift shop goodies…When the kids ask for something, you will have a bag full of souvenirs ready to give them!
If you have any other tips and tricks to make our Bestie’s life easier at Disneyland – please leave your recommendations in the comments below!
Have SO much fun at one of my very favorite places on earth! xoxo
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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